Latest news with #FukuiPrefecturalDinosaurMuseum
Japan Today
03-06-2025
- General
- Japan Today
Step back in time and explore the ancient world at Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
By Abhijit Sen Located in Katsuyama, Fukui Prefecture, the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is one of the largest in Japan and is recognized as one of the world's best dinosaur museums. It offers visitors a chance to step back in time and explore the ancient world. Fukui Prefecture is known for its rich deposits of dinosaur fossils, particularly from the Kitadani Dinosaur Quarry. Since 1989, significant discoveries have been made, including unique species like Fukuiraptor and Fukuisaurus. These fossils help paint a vivid picture of life in Japan millions of years ago. Dinosaur World is the museum's main attraction, featuring a wide range of exhibits that dive deep into the lives of dinosaurs. Here, visitors can explore sections like 'Biology of Dinosaurs,' 'Dinosaurs of Japan and Asia' and the exciting 'Real-size Dinosaur Diorama.' These areas include immersive exhibits, animatronic dinosaurs that move and roar, and breathtaking life-sized models that make you feel like you've traveled back to the Jurassic period! One of the highlights of Dinosaur World is the Dinosaur Hall, where you can see nearly 50 full-scale dinosaur skeletons. Notably, the Camarasaurus on display comprises over 90% of its original fossil material. Additional Highlights Image: PIXTA/ KEIJI YOSHII The Dino Lab offers a chance to study real fossils up close. You can try your hand at activities such as finding and identifying fossils or magnifying observations, making it an unforgettable experience for both young and adult science enthusiasts. These activities let you play the role of a paleontologist! Special exhibitions occur from July to October, so plan accordingly. Beyond Dinosaurs Click here to read more. External Link © GaijinPot
11-05-2025
- Science
Japan's 1st Dinosaur Faculty Opens at Fukui University
Eiheiji, Fukui Pref., May 11 (Jiji Press)--Japan's first university faculty dedicated to dinosaur studies opened last month in a prefecture known as a major dinosaur fossil excavation site. The Faculty of Dinosaur Paleontology at Fukui Prefectural University allows students to engage in cutting-edge research by participating in fossil excavations in cooperation with museum staff. It welcomed 34 students in April at the campus in the Fukui town of Eiheiji near mountains where fossils of Fukuiraptor and many other new dinosaur species were found. During their four-year degree course, students will study techniques required for dinosaur research, including geological exploration, fossil replica creation, CT scanning and 3D modeling. Teachers include five world-renowned dinosaur researchers. In their second year, students will move to the campus in the city of Katsuyama, which is being built adjacent to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, to acquire practical skills in cooperation with museum staff. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
Japan Times
15-03-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Fukui enjoys visitor boost after shinkansen extension
Fukui Prefecture enjoyed a 20% increase in visitors over the 11 months since an extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line opened in the region. Still, how to increase the number of tourists who stay at local hotels will remain a key issue in the second year of the new section, which opened on March 16 last year between Tsuruga and Kanazawa stations in the Hokuriku region. "The number of visitors from the Kanto and Shinetsu regions, viewed as a key task amid the weak yen and rising prices, is increasing. It's a big step forward," Fukui Gov. Tatsuji Sugimoto told a news conference in late January, emphasizing the impact of the extension. The line connects Hokuriku and Kanto, which includes Tokyo, via Shinetsu. About 6.42 million people visited Fukui between March 16 last year and Feb. 15 this year, up by about 1 million from a year before, according to the prefectural government. Popular tourist destinations include the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum and Eiheiji temple. But the growth has not necessarily translated into an increase in overnight stays in the prefecture, which is sandwiched between the popular tourist areas of Kyoto and Kanazawa. According to Japan Tourism Agency preliminary data, the total number of overnight stays made in Fukui in 2024 was 3.45 million for Japanese visitors, up 8.5% from the previous year, the sixth-biggest expansion among all prefectures. But the growth in overnight stays by visitors from abroad was low. The number of such stays rose 37.2% to about 90,000, lower than the national increase of 38.9%. "There are few restaurants open until late hours and nighttime tourist attractions," a Fukui government official said. In addition to increasing night events featuring food and traditional performing arts, the prefecture is working to develop tours to attract foreign nationals visiting Japan for the World Expo in Osaka, which opens next month. Its partner in the project is West Japan Railway Co. (JR West), one of the operators of the Hokuriku Shinkansen. The Hokuriku Shinkansen line is due to be extended from Tsuruga to Shin-Osaka Station. But it is unclear when construction between the two stations will start, because of the huge construction costs local governments must bear and the impact of the construction work on groundwater. "While the connection between the Hokuriku region and the Tokyo metropolitan area is strengthening, effects of the extended section have not been seen in the Kansai or neighboring Chukyo region," JR West President Kazuaki Hasegawa told a news conference last month. "It is very important to connect the line to Kansai as soon as possible."
